The dry heat of this living hell sucked the sweat from your body, while the cold, red rock below froze your extremities to numbness. You had started to crawl a few miles back, your legs unsteady and wobbly after walking for so long. You had long since ditched your heavy backpack, and your shoes had worn to nothing. Flattening yourself on the ground again, you took another long break to breathe. Out of water. Out of food. Tired. Defenseless. You were going to die.

The thoughts running through your head halted at the sound of pounding hooves against the Nether floor. You held your breath, anticipating your impending death. Rough hands seized the back of your sweat-soaked shirt, lifting you from the ground. You didn't even have the strength to open your eyes as you felt the hot breath of a piglin on your face. It snorted in interest at the gold helmet you wore to stave off aggression from piglins and slung your limp body over its broad shoulder.